Cochin airport logs 21 per cent growth

Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) has witnessed a 21 per cent rise in passenger volumes to 6.45 million during the financial year 2014-15, up from 5.38 million in 2013-14. This is the second consecutive year that the airport had crossed the five-million passenger mark, making it the fourth-largest airport in the country in terms of passenger traffic.

International passengers at the airport dominated with 3.75 million arrivals, registering a 14.5 per cent increase from the previous year's 3.27 million. The airport handled 2.69 million domestic passengers during the year, which is an increase of 27.3 per cent from 2.11 million in the previous fiscal.

Aircraft movement from the Cochin airport jumped to 53,748 during the fiscal, as against 47,216 seen in the last year.

CIAL managing director VJ Kurian said the airport figured among other airports in the country offering services at lowest fees. Airport director ACK Nair said the notable feature in the previous fiscal had been the significant increase in the domestic passenger traffic.

"There is a good increase in tourist arrivals from north India and from the Far East countries," he said, adding that with the completion of the new international terminal, flight services and passenger traffic would see a greater surge.